Bagram, Afghanistan — The Tripartite Commission, composed of senior military and diplomatic representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, held its fifteenth meeting in Bagram, Afghanistan on February 25th. Delegates included Lieutenant General Sher M. Karimi, Chief of Operations of the Afghan National Army, Major General Muhammad Yousaf, Director General of Military Operations of the Pakistan Army and Lieutenant General Karl W. Eikenberry, Commander, Combined Forces Command – Afghanistan.

NATO/ISAF again participated in an observer status. Local Khowst officials, led by provincial Governor Merajoddin Pathan, also participated in the Tripartite Commission meeting by video teleconference.

The session began with an overview from the Coalition delegation on the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan and their roles in helping to enhance the quality of life for the people of Afghanistan through the improvements in government and justice and economic livelihood.

Following the Coalition briefing, the Afghanistan delegation and the Coalition delegation co-presented a briefing focused on security, reconstruction, and development in Khowst province with updates from the provincial Governor and his team as well as Coalition and civilian officials working in the province.

Discussions focused on the challenges and accomplishments of governance and reconstruction in this important region adjacent to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.

The Pakistan delegation then presented a strategy for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. This strategy consists of political dialogue, development aid and security operations. All delegations agreed that the sides should explore opportunities to increase security and improve conditions in the border region.

In addition, the delegates discussed border security and agreed to further enhance communication and coordination in this regard.

The NATO-ISAF representative concluded the presentations with a briefing on the ongoing expansion of NATO’s role in Afghanistan. The briefing highlighted NATO’s ongoing commitment to Afghanistan as well as the continuing strong, future U.S. presence under NATO command.

This plenary session highlighted the increasing results of communications and information sharing between Afghanistan, Pakistan, Combined Forces Command, and NATO-ISAF which has helped improve security cooperation in the region. .

The Tripartite Commission will meet again in April 2006 in Pakistan. This will be the third meeting in which the Afghanistan and Pakistan delegation will be represented at the four-star general level.

Released by the Office of the Spokesperson - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kabul, Afghanistan